234 THE ORCHID REVIEW. 
breeding as a method of scientific research,” and indicated some of the 
results that might legitimately be expected from a study of the subject in 
its bearing on the evolution of species. He emphasized the importance of 
keeping statistical records, and expressed the opinion that those who took 
part in such work would earn the gratitude of posterity, and, in all 
probability, lay the foundation of a new science of natural history. 
Professor Hugo de Vries took as his subject, “ Hybridising as a means 
of Pangenetic Infection,’ which he explained as the transference of 
particular qualities from one species to another by means of crossing, and 
gave a few examples, illustrated by specimens. 
The Rev. Professor Henslow, M.A., V.M.H., in discoursing on 
*‘ Hybridisation and _ its failures,” said that any discussion on_ hybrids: 
necessitated the preliminary enquiry, What is a species? He then passed 
on to the limitations of genera, and asked whether plants which would 
cross together could be referred to different genera, especially when 
separated by only a single character, as Cattleya and Lelia, for example. 
He also touched upon the question of constitutional affinity, remarking 
that groups of species from one country had been observed to cross between 
themselves, but would not ally themselves with others from different 
countries and climates. Excessive prepotency, non-reciprocity, and partial 
hybridisation were also mentioned as causes of failure. Perseverence, 
however, might ultimately be crowned with success, after many failures, 
and the expert need not despair when he was anxious to secure some special 
result, as Nature was as likely as not to reward him for his perseverance. 
The next paper was by Mr. C. C. Hurst, F.L.S., and was entitled :— 
EXPERIMENTS IN HYBRIDISATION AND CROSS-BREEDING. 
PREMISING that during the last few years the question of inheritance 
and variation had been of increasing interest both to students and to 
practical -breeders, the author detailed the results of some experiments 
carried out by himself. Most breeders had a strong impression that 
varieties transmitted their qualities to their offspring, hence the care taken 
to use only the best varieties, and after an examination of a large number 
of cases of inheritance and non-inheritance in the Orchidez, he concluded 
that such was the case to a great extent, especially if fertilised with their 
sty pollen, though exceptions were not rare, especially when the variations 
were slight, or the parents or their ancestors had been variable. Abnormal 
sports were generally transmitted wholly or not at all. Specific characters; 
however, were more certain and more lasting, and could be traced through 
several generations. Generic characters were still more marked and 
ie would probably be much more difficult to breed out paca 
pa ie 1¢ or varietal characters. Generic hybrids in the Orchidex 
coming rather numerous, and had given rise to many anomalies, 
